Sports: Pro Sports

Outside linebacker Wesley Woodyard celebrates a big play he made during the Broncos' Nov. 18 game against the Chargers in Denver. "Wood is a natural leader. ... He's a hype guy. He's fun to play with," says Denver rookie defensive lineman Derek Wolfe. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

"He's one of the best to ever play this game," Woodyard said as he prepared for Saturday's AFC divisional playoff game against the Ravens. "I talked to Ray after a game three years ago. I told him that I looked up to him and respected his game. To me, if you are any kind of football player, you play the way Ray has played. You leave it all out there, all the time."

Lewis, with his melodramatic dances and a swath of black paint smeared across his face, is fire and brimstone. He's the beating heart of the Ravens' defense.

Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis is pumped up for the player introductions before Sunday's wild-card game against the Colts in Baltimore. (Patrick Semansky, The Associated Press)

Woodyard, in a more subtle way, has become the inspirational leader of a Denver defense that ranked second in the NFL this season.

"Wood is a natural leader," said rookie defensive lineman Derek Wolfe. "He's kind of like the quarterback of the defense. He's a hype guy. He's fun to play with. You hear him after every play. He's got something to say after every play. And it's always constructive."

Said defensive end Elvis Dumervil: "I think he is the spirit of our defense. He's great to play with, he's fun and has a great sense of humor. The things he says between the lines on game day, he definitely should be miked up."

Woodyard's popularity with his teammates is evident. He's one of only two players in Broncos history to serve as a team captain in each of his first five seasons with the club. He served as a game-day captain in his rookie season in 2008 and has been a season-long team captain from 2009-12.

The only other Bronco to sit in the captain's chair for five consecutive seasons? Hall of Famer Floyd Little.

That's pretty good company for a player who joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Kentucky.

It's been a dream season for Woodyard. He led the Broncos with 114 tackles, a career high. He was the only Denver player this season, and just the 12th NFL player since 1982, to record 100 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions in the same season. The last one to do it was the Bears' Brian Urlacher in 2007.

In Denver's 34-14 victory over New Orleans in Week 8, Woodyard had 13 tackles, a sack, an interception and two passes defended. For that, he earned his first defensive player of the week award.

"It's been exciting," Woodyard said. "It's been my dream to be a starter in the NFL. I love the game of football and every time I am out there I cherish every play like it's my last."

Photos: NFL

But it's more than Woodyard's raw enthusiasm that has impressed defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

"Wesley has been really good at getting our guys settled down," Del Rio said. "He's great in preparation, and he has a calming influence for the rest of the group. I think he's done that for us.

"Leaders are leaders. I think he has natural leadership ability. Part of that is being selfless. Part of that is working hard in your preparation and knowing what you're talking about."

Come Saturday afternoon, Lewis, who has announced he will retire at the end of the season, will fire up his teammates with his personal pregame pep rally.

Woodyard stands ready to pump up his teammates and energize the Broncos faithful at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

"There is nothing more exciting than when you can raise your arms up and get 76,000-plus hyped and up on their feet," he said. "I love that feeling. To me, there is no other experience greater than that."